What are Some Fun Activities to Do in a Hot Tub?

Answer:Unwind and Enjoy with Casual Patio Pools and Spas. At Casual Patio Pools and Spas, we believe a hot tub is more than just a place to relax—it’s a hub for fun, connection, and memorable experiences. Whether you’re soaking solo, hosting friends, or spending quality time with family, your hot tub can transform into the ultimate spot for enjoyment. The warm, bubbling water creates a perfect setting for a variety of activities that cater to relaxation, entertainment, and bonding. Here are some fun activities to do in a hot tub, brought to you by the experts at Casual Patio Pools and Spas, to help you make the most of your backyard oasis.

1. Host a Hot Tub Game Night

Turn your hot tub into a lively game center with friends or family. The warm water and jets create a cozy atmosphere for laughter and friendly competition.

Benefits of Aquatic Therapy with a Spa or Swim Spa

here are many medical studies currently under review to examine all of the benefits of Hydrotherapy. If you suffer from Type II Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Rehumetory Arthritis, Sleep Disorders, Back or Knee Pain, a spa or swim spas could offer you fantastic in-home health care. It is always advised to consult your physician before using a spa, hot tub or swim spa.

With a Hot Tub from Casual Patio of Katy TX, you can expect MENTAL WELLNESS and RELAXATION. You may even qualify for a tax deduction with a doctor's prescription. But, please consult your tax consultant.

Attitude matters - even with all the benefits of a Spa or Hot Tub, keep your frame of mind on the positive and enjoy your life - after all, you live in Texas!

Create a Cool Tub In A Few Hours

After a long hot day this summer a hot soak might not seem very appealing. There is a quick and easy way to make your Hot Tub a refreshing Cool Tub.

Dial down the temperature gage. It doesn't need to be all of the way off but 10 degrees or so should do the trick. Sine hot tubs are insulated it can cool down by the time you get home from work.
Another trick is to turn on the jets for a while. The jets will help circulate the cool air with hot air cooling it faster.
Don't make the mistake of thinking removing the cover will help cool down your tub . Actually keeping the cover on helps keep the cooling water insulated.

When you're ready to heat it up follow these steps in reverse and there you go!

Contact Casual Patio - get a spa upgrade, repair, or chemicals Call or Tap 281-599-3378

Hot Tub & Spa Cover Maintenance

How to maintain your Hot Tub cover.

Here in the Houston area, we get lots of sunshine. This can cause wear on your hot tub cover. Casual Patios, Pools, Spas and More are dedicated to service your Houston Above Ground Pool and Spa needs. Below are some tips on how to maintain your hot tub cover.

Cleaning of your hot tub cover must be a part of monthly maintenance. Dirt will scuff the top coating of the cover and will cause wear on the material, the folds and seams; a worn cover will fall apart.

Hot Tub Buying Tips

How to Buy a Spa

Buying an Hot Tub is a big decision. Like shopping for anything else, the more you know the better. So you don't get soaked (pun intended) do a little research, ask the staff at Casual Patio of Houston TX a lot of questions.

Here is a list of issues to consider when buying an hot tub:

Hot Tub Maintenance in Houston TX

Owning a hot tub is not much work. To keep it operating at peak condition, here are 5 tips for maintaining a hot tub.

Because of the heated water, bacteria and algae growth are the first conditions to watch. The water should be sanitized and chemicals checked.

Below is a list of conditions to be checked. On a daily basis, you'll only need 10 minutes; monthly will only take 5 minutes.

Hot Tub Safety in the Summer

Are Hot Tubs Safe To Use In The Summer?

If you follow a few simple tips you and your family can stay safe while using your hot tub in the hot summer months...

1) It's a good idea to wait until the sun goes down and there is time for the temperature outside to cool a bit. Using the hot tub in the daytime hours while the sun is high and so is the temperature could be a dangerous idea

2) Always stay very hydrate before, during, and after your tub use. Also, steer clear of large amounts of alocohl while soaking in the tub since alcohol is likely to dehydrate you

3) Turn the temperature of the tub down. Most tubs have a top out temp of 104 degrees. Dialing this back even a few degrees will help. Better yet make your tub a cool tub for the summer

Happy Hot Tubing!

How You Can Claim Your Hot Tub as an Expense on Your Tax Return

CAN YOU DEDUCT YOUR HOT TUB ON YOUR INCOME TAX?

A bad day for all: April 15th. It's always wise to be aware of possible deductions that will reduce your overall tax bill.

There are IRS regulations to allow a deduction for your hot tub purchase. If your doctor recommends hot water therapy for a medical condition you are clear.

Many people suffer from RLS, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, arthritis, back pain or other medical issues. Soaking in hot bubbling water can relieve those aches and pains. There are many medical conditions when a hot tub purchase may qualify for a medical deduction.

Remember that a written recommendation is the first and most important step in the deduction process.

A doctor's prescription turns your hot tub into deductible medical equipment. Just satisfy a few IRS conditions.

IRS Publication 502 covers medical expenses. Medical expenses are the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and the costs for treatments affecting any part or function of the body.

These include the costs of equipment, supplies, and devices for these purposes. They do not include expenses for beneficial to general health. Be sure your doctor agrees that the medical care expenses (i.e. hot tub) must be primarily to help or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness.

Click Here For the Complete Listing of
Medical Expenses from IRS.GOV.

Insulation in a Spa or Swim Spa

They may not have reached the evening news, but there have been debates about he best insulation type in a spa, hot tub or swim spa.

There are actually 3 reasons for insulation in your Huston Texas Hot Tub.

1. Maintains Hot Tub temperature - this one is the obvious and best reason for insulation.
Full foam will always out perform any other type of insulation; we use it in coolers, thermos and the walls of our home.

2. Reduces Vibration - engineers will validate the fact that "VIBRATION CAUSES FAILURE". There are nearly three hundred feet of hosing inside the average spa. If the water is passing through these pipes at a high velocity, the hoses will be shaking if FULL FOAM does not stabilize them. Although many will state that a Non-Full Foam spa is easier to fix, it is also guaranteed to fail.

3. Reduces Noise - related to vibration but if you want to reduce NOISE, find a spa with full foam.

The cover will also be a determining factor with your energy bills. A cover that seals to the shell and seals at the seam will provide you with a great lid. The foam inside the cover can range from 2 ¼" to 5" thick, but the density of the foam will offer the most strength. A steel support along the seam will also add strength to the cover to prevent a collapse in the center.

Casual Patio sells Nordic Hot Tubs with standard 2 pound closed cell spray on foam and the OPTIONAL T-20 certified Nordic Wrap insulation.

Keep unwanted pests out of your hot tub

Hot tubs are incredibly relaxing and attract people to them frequently. Owning a hot tub means that people will always want to come over and enjoy the soothing and healing powers of the heated water.

Just like hot tubs attract people, they may be a magnet for unwanted bugs and critters. Let's go over some of the most common hot tub pests and give you some tips on preventing them from becoming a drain on time, money, and resources.

Keep Your Hot Tub From Freezing

Hot Tubs Get Cold Too

In the Mid West it is very important to take precautionary measures so your hot tub doesn't freeze. Temperatures can dip fast and uncirculated water can freeze fast. This could lead to broken pipes, cracked motor, and leaks anywhere through the system.

If you don't use your hot tub in the winter the best plan is drain and winterize your tub. However, if you enjoy a brisk night soak then here are a few things to keep in mind.

Make sure your water stays between 100-104 degrees
Hot water can last 2-3 day if covered tightly
Keep the cover snug
Check your insulation in the cover and around the tub panels before the first big freeze
Keep the water circulating

Keep Your Skin and Hair Beautiful

Hot tubbing is so relaxing and has wonderful health benefits but our hair and skin can suffer if we don't implement so me basic skin and hair care steps.

Alway stay hydrated before and afer your hot tub soaks. Drink plenty of water. Adding lemon slices makes it tasty and refreshing.

It might not be a good idea to have lotion on before you jump in however a slathering of lotion after will keep your skin cells plumped up minimizing the appearance of dipply skin. Some products around the house work wonderfully such as olive oil and cold pressed coconut oil.

Using a quality leave in hair conditioner is key to keeping those locks moisturized. Also, make sure to pin up your hair so it isn't soaking up those chemicals.

Lip balm is one often forgotton skin care product. Peeling and dry lips are not so attratctive or comfortable.

Last, you may want to condider purchasing a water conditioning product to help offset the effects of the chemicals.

Know Your Hot Tub Chemicals

Chemicals in your Hot Tub

Casual Patio has created an inviting custom patio, and installed a new hot tub. Lush green plants and carefully selected lighting give a peaceful mood. It all can go to waste if the color of your water is the same as the shrubs.

Follow these few guidelines so you can spend more time in your hot tub and less fixing the water.

Sanitizers

Bacteria, algae, and viruses love warm water, so you must use sanitizers to keep the water clean. Chlorine and bromine are the two most used sanitizers but require checking so there is not too little or too much water. Check the chlorine or bromine levels with test strips and change the amount of sanitizer based on the results.

Ozone technology is available on our hot tubs and are excellent options to destroy bacteria reduce the amount of sanitizer you use.

Water Balance

And you thought you would never use anything from your High School Chemistry class. Understanding and maintaining your hot tub's pH level along with its alkalinity, calcium level (hardness), are important aspects of your hot tub water. Test regularly (i.e. monthly), add the appropriate amount of balancing agent, wait 20 minutes and retest..

Shock Treatment

Some people think this is only necessary if you are raising teenagers. Shock treatments break down the residue from your sanitizers and other contaminants. Balance the water once a week, and do a shock treatment after a rain storm, water change. It is also advisable after heavy use or a backyard party with friends and family.

If you are unsure how to manage your water quality, give us a call.

Preventing Drain Entrapment

Drain entrapments are the result of limbs, hair or clothing becoming stuck in a faulty drain. The best way to avoid the entrapment is to prevent it AND being observant around a pool or hot tub.

Parents and families should be aware of the simple steps to save lives. These important aquatic safety tips focus on reducing the hazard:

Install a Safety Vacuum Release System — the device automatically shuts off a pump if it detects blockage
Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings - avoiding entrapments and entanglements
Make sure long hair, clothing or jewelry are not dangling when swimming in a pool or sitting in a hot tub
Be snsure you use compliant drain covers - Ask if you do not know
Plainly mark the location of the electrical cut-off switch for the pool or spa pump
Know where the pool or spa pump switch is and know how to turn it off

Should you buy a new or used hot tub?

Is buying a used hot tub worth it?

Short Answer: Maybe

Of course if you purchase a new hot tub from us, you can be confident that it

works
has a guarantee
no leaks
zero "unkown mold" problems
will be installed correctly

If you are looking on Craigslist or other websites - Be careful - Here are some tips:

The seller should identify problems
When you first see it, the hot tub should be filled with water.
The water should be hot, with pumps and blowers running
Look for water pooling around the edges of the tub. If you see some, there may be a leak
Do all the buttons work? Push them and see what they do
Look at the filtration system - is it relatively clean?
The seller should be open to having a professional look at it (like Northcoast Spas)

Also, you will need to be able to transport, position, and level your used hot tub.

Or, buy new from Casual Patio and eliminate any worries.

Spa Repair After the Flood

Prepare Insurance Information - Take Pictures

Take photos of the spa from all angles. Email these photos to your insurance agent.

Turn off the Power

Be safe - turn off the power to the unit. Turn off the circuit breaker. If the spa is 120v, unplug it from the outlet. Contact a professional electrician if you have any doubt.

Assess the Damage

Take a look at the electrical connections. Check for burn marks and places that look corroded. Replace anything that looks damaged. Contact us to complete any repair - we have access to all parts no matter the make or model.
Here is a list of parts that can be affected by water damage:

Spa Packs
Ozonator
Blowers
Pumps

Be sure to dry out the spa

Before you even think about turning on the power, all the equipment must be completely dry. If some of the electrical equipment is wet, a power surge can damage it further. Use a shop vac to remove any excess water in any of the compartments. Immediately spray the insides with a Mold and Mildew remover.

Leave the door to the equipment area open with a fan blowing inside during dry days to allow moisture to evaporate, and prevent mildew. After it is dry, spray it again with mildew remover - and dry again.

Stop Smelling Like a Hot Tub

Nobody wants to smell like a hot tub after a relaxing soak. That smell can last a full day sometimes. One easy solution is to shower immediately when you get out. Try using an exfoliant or louffa to scrub the chemicals off the skin's surface.

A few other best practices for hot tub owners:

Make sure to dry the cover out as much as possible as often as possible. Zipping down the cover and exposing the foam to fresh air and sunshine helps.

Watch for moldy or dark spots on the cover and edges of the tub and make sure to disenfect and scrub these areas right away. Also a spray bottle of diluted bleach for cleaning tools, and any items used in the tub works wonders.

Keep a close eye on the PH Balance to make sure it is not too high. A good PH is 7.4 - 7.6. Also, check the recommende use of sanitizing chemicals. To high PH and too low chemicals could cause an unpleasant odor in your tub.

Put your tub on a draining/cleaning schedule. When empty clean and sanitize the filter and pipes. Scrub the interior surfaces to disenfect as well.

Tax Time: Deducting Your Hot Tub Expense

Certain IRS regulations may allow you a deduction for your hot tub expese.
...if your doctor recommends hot water therapy for a medical condition.

People that suffer from RLS, Fibromyalgia, back pain, Arthritis find that soaking in Hot Water helps.

There are certain medical conditions that can be used to justify a hot tub purchase from Casual Patio Pools Spas & More.

With a doctor's prescription, you may turn your hot tub into a deductible medical equipment. But be sure that it satisfies IRS conditions.

Remember the most important condition is a written recommendation from your doctor.

Use the IRS Publication 502. This publication covers medical expenses. Medical expenses are the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and the costs for treatments affecting any part or function of the body. These include the costs of equipment, supplies, and diagnostic devices needed for these purposes. However, the medical expenses must be to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental illness, not as a benefit to general health.

Keep the receipt we give you after we install your Hot Tub. If you don't have one, give us a call at 281-599-3378.

Toddler Safety & Hot Tubs

Rule: If a child cannot stand in the tub and have their head entirely above water, they should not be in the hot tub. If they are tall enough, they should not be in the water for more than 5 minutes at a time (with the water temp. at 104). Good thing toddlers are not teenagers. A teen would ask, "If I can't get into the tub, then how do you know my head will be above the water?"

From the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), drowning is the main hazard associated with hot tubs. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recorded more than 800 deaths in spas since 1990. About four in twenty were children under the age of five. Hot tubs should be covered with a locked safety cover when not in use and children should be kept away unless there is constant adult supervision.

Top 4 Hot Tub Accessories

Here are the top 4 Hot Tub accessories to enhance your fall soak time.

1. Hot Tub Caddy

Enjoy to cooler air with a warm drink. Cool evenings and warm drinks go together like A Spa or Hot Tub Caddy adds luxury and convenience. It attaches to the side of your spa and has a hook for your towel.

2. New Filter

Not only for the fall, change your hot tub filters on a regular basis. Even if you use an ozone system, it may be time to renew and replace. New filters keep the hot tub water clean and you won't have to adjust the chemicals as frequently.

3. Hot Tub Cover

Check you cover - purchasing a new cover will help reduce your electric bill and keep your hot tub warm. Your heater won't turn on as often, improving the element life. The cover does more than anything else to make your hot tub more energy-efficient. It conserves heat by forming a close seal around the edges. That means it takes less time to heat up every time you want to relax. Even though Hot tub covers are made to last, they will wear out.

If your hot tub cover has dips, if it looks weathered, or has deteriorating vinyl - replace it. Save time, save money, save stress.

4. Deluxe Spa Headrest

When you are completely relaxed in your hot tub, set your head back on a headrest. We have many to fit your tub and you head.

Contact Casual Patio Pools Spas and More has these accessories and more. Stop into our Katy TX location and find an add on that will help you enjoy your hot tub this fall.